He’s jetlagged, tired and well in need of a decent sleep but Qantas Socceroo squad member Mitch Nichols has no complaints about his recent whirlwind trip across the world.
He-s jetlagged, tired and well in need of a decent sleep but Qantas Socceroo squad member Mitch Nichols has no complaints about his recent whirlwind trip across the world.
The 22-year-old arrived back in Brisbane yesterday, along with fellow Roar players Matt Jurman and Kofi Danning, and was still recovering from one of the most jam-packed three weeks of his career.
Called into the Qantas Socceroos group for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Oman and Thailand, Nichols left Brisbane for a training camp in Dubai before travelling to Muscat and Bangkok.
After Australia secured their berth in the next stage of qualifying following a 1-0 win over the Asian minnows, he switched his focus to under-23 duties after he was named in Aurelio Vidmar-s Qantas Olyroos squad.
Nichols made his way to Qatar to line up against Iraq in the first of two AFC Asian qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics, then flew into Sydney for their next match-up against Uzbekistan.
“I-m a bit tired but it was a good three weeks away and I-m glad to be back,” Nichols said.
“I dealt with all the travel but I also learned a lot from all the older players in the Socceroos.
“It was a good experience to train with them and learn under Holger.”
With Head Coach Ange Postecoglou in Indonesia meeting the club-s principal owner Nirwan Bakrie, the Roar squad were put through their paces this morning in a tough conditioning session in the searing Brisbane heat under the watchful eye of assistant coach Rado Vidosic.
Itching to be involved in Saturday night-s round nine encounter with Sydney FC at Kogarah Oval, Nichols has made it his priority to ensure the Brisbane coaches are aware he-s ready to be recalled.
“I-ll be telling him I-m fit, not jetlagged and have no injury worries!” the Palm Beach product said of Postecoglou.
“I know I-m not guaranteed a spot for the weekend because the boys have been playing fantastic.
“It was good getting recognition with the Socceroos and the Olyroos but now I have to work hard at training and push for my spot again.”
With his starting eleven replacement Issey Nakajima-Farran banging away a brace on Saturday night against Perth Glory, Nichols is unsure if he-s likely to start against the Sky Blues.
However, Nichols was prepared to work hard in his club comeback, keeping some advice from Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Holger Osieck close to his mind.
“After the last game he pulled me aside and said he was happy with the way I performed at training,” Nichols said.
“He said it was hard to give me an opportunity because they needed the three points to move onto the next stage but told me to keep working and that there would be more opportunities for me to be involved.”
